The Blade Heir (Book 1) (10 page)

"I hope they have some decent food; I'm famished." Lucius quickened his pace on the road.

"I'm sure their accommodations will be suitable for the both of us," Siegfried replied.

The two travelers reached the fork in the Barren Road, which split three ways: north, south, and eastward towards the city. Lucius instinctively looked to his right and left, searching for others traveling on the road, but saw none. His eyes also searched the landscape to the North. The green hills and fields continued on for miles, but beyond them, towards Jun-Jun Pass, he thought he saw a gray line on the horizon. A slight shiver ran up his spine with an uneasiness he could not shake. Siegfried felt his brother's tension and asked about it. Lucius assured him everything was fine, convincing himself it was nothing.

When they reached the gate of Sylvania, two guards patrolling each side of the gateway walked up to them. They wore heavy armor with broadswords sheathed at their sides. Bronze helmets with several dents and stains adorned both of their heads, looking rather inadequate to shield them from a blow to the skull.

"What business do you have in Sylvania?" the heavyset guard asked.

Lucius quickly tried to think of an answer, but Siegfried spoke before he could say a word.

"We are merely here for food and lodging, kind sir. Our travels have made us weary, and we are in need of rest," he bowed his head slightly.

Lucius forced back a smile, "Indeed."

The guard squinted his eyes and glanced at his younger and thinner partner who eyed them suspiciously.

"Where have you come from, my lords?" the younger guard asked.

"From Verdania. We made flight only a night ago," Lucius replied with slight annoyance.

"Verdania?" The older one looked perplexed and apprehensive. "Not a soul has come from that land to Sylvania in many years. The D'aryan elves are a secluded people. They've no desire to leave their elven sanctuaries for the likes of this place. Now stop telling lies and tell us where you're from."

"We have no reason to lie," Lucius cried. "We do hail from the realm of the D'aryan elves and would appreciate it kindly if you would let us pass."

"Let you pass?" The bigger guard placed his hand on the hilt of his sword. "We've had a great deal of trouble in this city in the days past, mostly due to wary travelers like you. Why, just two nights ago old Ren was robbed blind while he was away at the Crimson Eagle drinking a pint. All his wife's jewelry was taken, along with his pack mule, Ethyl. The thief has yet to be caught, but many believe it was an outsider that did it. I happen to believe the same, so you can understand my reluctance to let you in, friends."

"I assure you that we aren't thieves or troublemakers," Siegfried said calmly. "My friend speaks truth about where we come from. But if this is a matter of trust, we would gladly leave our weapons and belongings here with you."

"What?" Lucius failed to see his logic.

Siegfried winked an eye at him.

"Actually, that sounds like a great idea," the younger guard smirked.

"Hand over your weapons and belongings and we'll let you in," the older guard said.

Siegfried took off his quiver from his back and his bow, setting them down at the guards' feet. Lucius sighed and did the same. They both also left their swords and backpacks at the gate. Both of the guards grinned and gestured toward the entrance to Sylvania.

"Enjoy your stay, friends. You may pick up your personal items when you leave this fine settlement." The heavyset guard gave their belongings to the younger guard who scampered off into the city.

"I'll be expecting our belongings to be back in perfect condition, sir," Lucius glared at the guard.

"No need to worry, young lad. Clay is making sure of that as we speak."

"Come," Siegfried motioned for Lucius to follow him into the city.

Lucius looked back at the guard, who simply grinned and tipped his helmet at him.

"Why do I have the feeling that we won't be getting our things back?" he said.

"Don't worry about it, Lucius. Our belongings will be kept safe while we accomplish the task at hand. We won't need weapons within these walls, trust me."

"You aren't the least bit worried that one of those insolent guards will sell your bow? It's made of an exquisite wood and was given to you by your father and by his father before him. Generations of Silverharts have held that bow, Siegfried, and now some Sylvania brute might be selling it to buy a round of beers."

"Are you quite finished?" Siegfried raised a brow. "The bow is an heirloom, and it shall be returned, I assure you, either by Clay, the guardsman, or by my own intervention. Right now, we must find a place to rest and something to eat. You are still famished, aren't you?"

"Yes, I am. I could really use some fresh bread or a pint of ginger tea." He had forgotten the growls coming from his stomach.

"Well, then, let us find a suitable place to whet your appetite, brother," Siegfried smiled.

At first glance, the city looked nothing more than a big village when compared to a city as grand as Evingrad with its great spire, marble buildings, and elegant effigies. But there was a warmth in the straw-roofed, brick houses and cobblestone paths of Sylvania that Evingrad lacked.
It's so ... human.
There was no elegance in the worn clothes or tired expressions of men walking to their homes after a long day's work. Neither were the young children walking upright nor minding their manners as they chased stray chickens in the streets with jubilant faces. The differences between the D'aryan elves and the race of men were very distinct to Lucius as he carefully observed the townsfolk. All his life he had felt like an outsider among the elves, trying as best as he could to be their equal and earn their trust. Helmer and Siegfried had done their best to help him be of like mind, teaching him their ways and accepting him as one of their own. But even they realized he was a man—an emotional creature who perhaps was incapable of becoming as peaceful or wise as they.

His lack of communion with the elf spirit, D'arya, also kept him from understanding the sacred way of life exclusive to the elves. However, upon learning of Yéwa, he no longer felt alone in the world. This human God was the maker of his kind and someone—according to Helmer—who would help him on this quest, but when or how Yéwa would do so was unknown to Helmer, and even less to Lucius.

Siegfried searched the city for an inn while Lucius followed and surveyed the sights around him. They walked into a bustling marketplace before reaching the center of the city. A blacksmith's tent was set up on their left, and they heard the steel clang of a hammer beating on an anvil. To their right, was the pub known as the Crimson Eagle, from which the sweet smell of ale and beer wafted into their nostrils. Ambitious vendors selling food, trinkets, and various fabrics called out to them from their stands and parked wagons, hoping to make some money. Siegfried politely refused each of the vendors while Lucius looked at the items thoughtfully and, after a scowl from his brother, also refused.

A few feet outside the marketplace they came to Sylvania's center square where two statues stood: an elf holding the D'aryan standard and a man holding a shield with the crest of Aldron. Around the square stood two-story buildings serving as homes and businesses for residents of the city. Lucius surveyed each of the structures but could not find any that offered lodging. They walked around the square and eventually followed the city's main road up a steep hill where a few more buildings overlooked the town square. Among the buildings assembled on the hill, there was an inn with a wooden sign above the door bearing the words, "Griffin's Head." The wooden door had a burnt etching of a griffin with its wings outspread.

"It looks like a comfortable place to spend the evening, wouldn't you say?" Lucius looked over at Siegfried, trying to read the elf's expressionless face.

"I think it should be suitable for the both of us." He walked up the stone steps to the door of the inn and opened it.

Lucius sighed and followed him inside. It seemed as though he was always following his brother into the unknown, and he hoped it would not be a common occurrence on this journey. This was the first time in Lucius' life where he felt as though he should take the lead. He was the reason they had left
Breninmaur,
and it was his dreams about the Black Dragon that were intertwined with the future of Azuleah, not Siegfried's. Lucius knew Siegfried was just following their father's instructions by taking charge, but perhaps there was some way to take the lead without being forceful or offending his older brother.

The interior of Griffin's Head was rather dark for so early in the day, and it reeked of smoke. A fireplace on the far wall of the inn was burning brightly, and tables close to the fire were seated with weary travelers patiently awaiting a home-cooked meal. A young waitress with red hair tied in a bun poured drinks for the guests and simultaneously swept loose strands of her hair away from her face with her free hand. When she had finished serving a portly man with a straw hat, Siegfried called out to her. She looked over at the two figures standing by the doorway and scrutinized them, perhaps to see if she recognized them or not. When she found she had no recognition of them, she walked over with a pitcher in her left hand and asked politely how she could help them.

"We were wondering if there are any vacancies in your establishment, madam," Siegfried said in a soft voice.

The girl looked at him quizzically, "I'm not sure if there are any rooms available, my lords. I am but a servant myself. Morton, the innkeeper, is behind the counter if you would like to speak to him."

"Thank you very much." Lucius quickly walked to the back of the inn with Siegfried following and approached the barrel-chested, bald man behind the counter. Morton was sitting on a stool counting money when Lucius appeared across the counter from him.

"Excuse me, sir. We would like a place to stay for the night if there is a room you could spare," Lucius delighted in subtly taking the lead from Siegfried, who it seemed did not mind in the least.

The innkeeper looked up at him, annoyed someone had interrupted his counting. "A room, aye? Yes, I believe there is an extra room, but only one bed to spare inside of it."

"One bed?" Lucius frowned.

"We shall take the room. How much will it be?" Siegfried pulled out a small leather pouch from inside his jerkin.

"Eh, let's see ... two solidi ought to do it," the burly innkeeper replied.

Siegfried set the gold coins on the countertop along with the rest of Morton's earnings. The bald man pulled out a small silver key from his breeches' pocket, handing it to Lucius who stretched out his arm anxiously.

"Go up the stairs and into the hallway; it will be the fourth room to your right. Enjoy your stay at Griffin's Head, gents." Morton winked and returned to counting his money.

Parallel to the counter, on the opposite wall, was a wooden staircase Lucius had not seen when they had entered the dining area. The two Evingrad warriors made their way through the tables and walked up the stairs. The steps creaked, each one louder than the last as they ascended to the second floor of the inn and entered a narrow hallway with doors on each wall. Following Morton's directions, they found their room near the end of the hall on their right. Lucius fit the silver key beneath the handle and opened the door. The room was dim, its only means of illumination seeping from the cracks within the window shutters. Lucius walked to the window, pushing back the shutters and allowing the light to bring new life to the desolate room.

The bedroom was finely furnished, more so than the dining area downstairs. The single bed inside the room was covered in a blue satin quilt with comfortable, down-filled pillows. On the floor next to the bed lay a fine knit rug with swirling designs along its edges. Perhaps imported from Joppa, Lucius thought. There was also an oak nightstand with small griffins carved on its single drawer. A silver candleholder with three unlit candles sat on the nightstand. Directly above the candles hung an oil painting of an elf lying beneath a maple tree playing an ocarina.

"I don't believe I've ever seen you play an ocarina before, Sieg," he said, flashing a smile at Siegfried who still stood solemnly at the door. "You are rather gifted with music, brother."

"Not nearly as gifted as my mother." Siegfried entered the room, staring at the portrait. "Her favorite instruments were the ocarina and the Numan harp. I remember the gentle melodies she played for me in the evenings and also the spirited overtures in my father's study. She was truly gifted as a musician. I merely carry on a fraction of her legacy with my telyn."

"I wish I could have heard her music," he admitted.

The corners of Siegfried's mouth turned upward slightly. "Yes. I wish that as well."

There was pause in the conversation as Siegfried stared at portrait.

"So, who gets the honor of sleeping on this comfortable bed?" Lucius asked, hoping to break the awkward silence.

"You may rest on the bed, brother. This rug looks comfortable enough for me to lay on," as the elf looked down at his feet.

"What? Are you sure you'd rather sleep on that dusty thing and not on this perfectly comfortable bed?" Lucius asked, jumping onto the bed with his arms spread wide.

Siegfried laughed, "Before men even set foot in Azuleah, my kind rested on the soft roots of trees and green down of grassy meadows."

"You elves, always delighting in the simple and never indulgent. I suppose there's no complaint on my part, seeing as I will be getting a good night's sleep." Lucius propped a pillow beneath his head.

"I am not so much concerned about sleep at the moment as I am a good meal. The food in the dining area smelled quite delicious; we should eat now. We have someone to meet very soon." Siegfried's voice trailed off as he walked towards the door and into the hallway.

"Someone to meet?" Lucius questioned without any response. His stomach growled, and his thoughts centered solely on food. He got up quickly and rushed to meet up with his elven brother downstairs.